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Elston-Fright Tales #1
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name
'Find the thing the Witches call a treasure,' says Old Man, 'and you'll get back all those memories you're missing.'
With a body made of wax, seaweed for hair and polished abalone shells for eyes, Corpse is bound to haunt the Witches' sea shack forever. She has no memory of the kid she was before she was snatched and ended up on the rock-that-doesn't-exist.
But the delivery of an unexpected message sets Corpse off on a surprising quest, searching for answers to the old and familiar questions that have filled her not-brain since the day she first woke up a ghost. Questions about her name. Questions about her family.
With only her eight-legged friend Simon for company, Corpse heads into the unknown. There will be danger - cruel Witches, a silver-eyed sea monster and a cunning Merchant with a hungry grin - but Corpse is not afraid. She'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth about her past.
Only some answers, it turns out, are much closer than she thinks.
With a body made of wax, seaweed for hair and polished abalone shells for eyes, Corpse is bound to haunt the Witches' sea shack forever. She has no memory of the kid she was before she was snatched and ended up on the rock-that-doesn't-exist.
But the delivery of an unexpected message sets Corpse off on a surprising quest, searching for answers to the old and familiar questions that have filled her not-brain since the day she first woke up a ghost. Questions about her name. Questions about her family.
With only her eight-legged friend Simon for company, Corpse heads into the unknown. There will be danger - cruel Witches, a silver-eyed sea monster and a cunning Merchant with a hungry grin - but Corpse is not afraid. She'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth about her past.
Only some answers, it turns out, are much closer than she thinks.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2022
22 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
November 28, 2022
Corpse was thirteen years old when she was snatched from the town she lived in. Now, as a ghost with a wax body, seaweed for hair and abalone shells for eyes, Corpse and her friend Simon, a huntsman spider, spent their time in the roof of the Witches home, keeping an eye on their evil ways, while haunting the best she could. She'd had a friend called Girl, but Girl had gone around a year ago. When a ghost they'd called Old Man arrived at the rock-that-doesn't-exist, he had a message for Corpse before he vanished.
Leaving the rock-that-doesn't-exist with Simon, they ventured in the rotting old dingy to the nearby town that was filled with evil magic. Elston-Fright was where Corpse would find the answers, she was sure. The Ungeneral Store was their destination as they sought the treasure which would give Corpse back the memories she'd had from when she was a child. And the spell book, Magikal Maledictions was something she needed to see. But could they do all that without the Witches finding them, or coming into the Merchant's clutches?
A Girl Called Corpse is a clever fantasy adventure story by debut Aussie author Reece Carter which was captivating, exciting and imaginative. I thoroughly enjoyed Corpse's journey, Girl's friendship and Simon's little click-click as he talked to Corpse. There will be another adventure for Corpse sometime next year (2023) and I'm looking forward to it. A fun and entertaining read, I recommend A Girl Called Corpse.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Leaving the rock-that-doesn't-exist with Simon, they ventured in the rotting old dingy to the nearby town that was filled with evil magic. Elston-Fright was where Corpse would find the answers, she was sure. The Ungeneral Store was their destination as they sought the treasure which would give Corpse back the memories she'd had from when she was a child. And the spell book, Magikal Maledictions was something she needed to see. But could they do all that without the Witches finding them, or coming into the Merchant's clutches?
A Girl Called Corpse is a clever fantasy adventure story by debut Aussie author Reece Carter which was captivating, exciting and imaginative. I thoroughly enjoyed Corpse's journey, Girl's friendship and Simon's little click-click as he talked to Corpse. There will be another adventure for Corpse sometime next year (2023) and I'm looking forward to it. A fun and entertaining read, I recommend A Girl Called Corpse.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Kaleidoscopic book tours.
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name is a unique and cleverly created book perfect for Halloween. We follow the main character, Corpse (how genius is that name!) and her seriously cute friend Simon (the only other spider I love since Charlotte in Charlotte's Web) as she embarks on an adventure to find 'the lost treasure'. This is an important adventure for Corpse as this treasure contains something she desperately wants - her memories. This is such a unique, spooky and unputdownable adventure of which I've never read the likes of before and is sure to delight the young reader aged 10+. There are so many great and spooky characters and scenes in this book such as witches, a forgotten town and sea monsters! This is the first book by Reece Carter that I've had the pleasure of reading and I will definitely be checking out his past and future books!
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name is a unique and cleverly created book perfect for Halloween. We follow the main character, Corpse (how genius is that name!) and her seriously cute friend Simon (the only other spider I love since Charlotte in Charlotte's Web) as she embarks on an adventure to find 'the lost treasure'. This is an important adventure for Corpse as this treasure contains something she desperately wants - her memories. This is such a unique, spooky and unputdownable adventure of which I've never read the likes of before and is sure to delight the young reader aged 10+. There are so many great and spooky characters and scenes in this book such as witches, a forgotten town and sea monsters! This is the first book by Reece Carter that I've had the pleasure of reading and I will definitely be checking out his past and future books!
December 31, 2022
https://littlesquirrelsbookshelf.blog...
A Girl Called Corpse is a magical tale of a young ghost who must draw on every ounce of courage to defeat the evil witches and escape the rock-that-doesn’t-exist to find out who she was and where she belonged.
Corpse is the most endearing character and I couldn’t help but cheer her on. She lives in the attic of the witches hut and with the bits of magic she has picked up from the witches she has made herself a body from wax, seaweed and shells from the beach. Her best friend is a huntsman spider and together they will face insurmountable danger, cruel witches, a sea monster and a scheming merchant. She is not always brave but she knows she has to be strong to succeed.
Reece Carter has created a fantastically imagined world with a delightful and spirited (pun intended) main character. Perfectly crafted for the Middle Grade audience A Girl Called Corpse is jam-packed with danger, adventure, breath holding suspense, magical battles and a touch of ghostly humour. I was totally engaged throughout the entire book!
I enjoyed Corpse’s growth throughout the novel. She learnt a lot about friendship and the magic of love. I eagerly await her next adventure!
*This review is from the Beauty & Lace Book Club
A Girl Called Corpse is a magical tale of a young ghost who must draw on every ounce of courage to defeat the evil witches and escape the rock-that-doesn’t-exist to find out who she was and where she belonged.
Corpse is the most endearing character and I couldn’t help but cheer her on. She lives in the attic of the witches hut and with the bits of magic she has picked up from the witches she has made herself a body from wax, seaweed and shells from the beach. Her best friend is a huntsman spider and together they will face insurmountable danger, cruel witches, a sea monster and a scheming merchant. She is not always brave but she knows she has to be strong to succeed.
Reece Carter has created a fantastically imagined world with a delightful and spirited (pun intended) main character. Perfectly crafted for the Middle Grade audience A Girl Called Corpse is jam-packed with danger, adventure, breath holding suspense, magical battles and a touch of ghostly humour. I was totally engaged throughout the entire book!
I enjoyed Corpse’s growth throughout the novel. She learnt a lot about friendship and the magic of love. I eagerly await her next adventure!
*This review is from the Beauty & Lace Book Club
November 15, 2022
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: bipoc scs; f/f side couple.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
▷ Representation: bipoc scs; f/f side couple.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
March 23, 2023
Me ha gustado, es algo a lo que no estoy acostumbrada para nada. Que conste que le doy 3 estrellas y tres cuartos, no llegaría a las cuatro porque tampoco es que me haya encantado.
Este libro es para niños rollo 13 años y es extraño porque está hecho para que sea spooky y de un poco de miedo pero, el tema es ese, que no he explorado mucho este tipo de género. El libro esta muy guay en sí. Tiene todo lo que me gusta, aventura, amistad y magia... Pero no sé no lo siento como algo memorable.
También como es en inglés tiene mucha terminología marítima y náutica que no tengo ni idea, como leer se puede leer pero me salto algunas palabras y las deduzco por contesto por pereza. Pero que esta guay.
Bueno, y ¿de qué va? Una chavala de 13 que es un fantasma hecho de cera de velas pues tiene buscar un tesoro que le prometen que es suyo y con el recuperará la memoria. Esto es clave, porque ella no quiere ser un fantasma quiere ser un"flechie" y poder hacer cosas de humanos es por ello por lo que se hizo un cuerpo de cera para así poder hacer lo mismo que los vivos. Su mayor sueño es tener una familia y es por ello por lo que decide buscar ese tesoro para recuperar la memoria e ir a ver a su familia. Con la ayuda de Simon, su fiel compañero-araña, buscarán el tesoro y se tendrán que enfrentar a las brujas de the-rock-that-doesn't-exist, pues ellas quieren ese mismo tesoro.
Bueno y eso es todo, ahora no sé que leerme. Bye ;)
Este libro es para niños rollo 13 años y es extraño porque está hecho para que sea spooky y de un poco de miedo pero, el tema es ese, que no he explorado mucho este tipo de género. El libro esta muy guay en sí. Tiene todo lo que me gusta, aventura, amistad y magia... Pero no sé no lo siento como algo memorable.
También como es en inglés tiene mucha terminología marítima y náutica que no tengo ni idea, como leer se puede leer pero me salto algunas palabras y las deduzco por contesto por pereza. Pero que esta guay.
Bueno, y ¿de qué va? Una chavala de 13 que es un fantasma hecho de cera de velas pues tiene buscar un tesoro que le prometen que es suyo y con el recuperará la memoria. Esto es clave, porque ella no quiere ser un fantasma quiere ser un"flechie" y poder hacer cosas de humanos es por ello por lo que se hizo un cuerpo de cera para así poder hacer lo mismo que los vivos. Su mayor sueño es tener una familia y es por ello por lo que decide buscar ese tesoro para recuperar la memoria e ir a ver a su familia. Con la ayuda de Simon, su fiel compañero-araña, buscarán el tesoro y se tendrán que enfrentar a las brujas de the-rock-that-doesn't-exist, pues ellas quieren ese mismo tesoro.
Bueno y eso es todo, ahora no sé que leerme. Bye ;)
August 2, 2022
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name is a spooky, charming and magical read full of friendship, adventure and witches.
The main character, a ghost girl made of wax and seaweed, called Corpse, is easy to root for even though she doesn't always say and do the right thing. And I didn't think I could ever love a spider, but Simon was adorable.
This is a fun and fast paced middle grade novel, set by the sea with great Halloween vibes. I was utterly enchanted and read it in under 24 hours!
It really reminded me of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, but with more sea life.
I got this as a proof copy/ARC at the bookshop I work at, and picked it up because I was in need of something fun and easy, and I really missed reading MG. Plus, Jessica Townsend, the author of Nevermoor, loved it, and I trust her recommendations with all of my heart.
Highly recommend picking this up when it comes out at the end of September this year!
The main character, a ghost girl made of wax and seaweed, called Corpse, is easy to root for even though she doesn't always say and do the right thing. And I didn't think I could ever love a spider, but Simon was adorable.
This is a fun and fast paced middle grade novel, set by the sea with great Halloween vibes. I was utterly enchanted and read it in under 24 hours!
It really reminded me of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, but with more sea life.
I got this as a proof copy/ARC at the bookshop I work at, and picked it up because I was in need of something fun and easy, and I really missed reading MG. Plus, Jessica Townsend, the author of Nevermoor, loved it, and I trust her recommendations with all of my heart.
Highly recommend picking this up when it comes out at the end of September this year!
August 2, 2022
The perfect middle grade adventure for those kids that like something a bit spookier and ghost and ghoul-filled than many of the other books out there. Also, a protagonist called Corpse is just genius. I read this book in just two sittings as it’s near impossible to put down. It’s magical, full of heart (literally) and excellent for Halloween! Can’t wait to see what’s coming next for Corpse and Reece.
August 22, 2022
4.5/5 stars
Firstly thank you to the publishers for sending me an early copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book, and I knew I would within the first few pages. The main character Corpse, is very cleverly created, and I love her spooky cute friend who accompanies Corpse always during her adventure to find the lost treasure, which contains her memories. There are plenty of eerie characters in this book, including the revolting witches, and the large sea monster. This story has been thought out well, and all the ideas are fresh and new, and I love how different this book is. I would highly recommend this book to all ages, and it's a great one to read during the spooky season. It's incredibly magical, dark and eerie. I'd love to tell you more, but that would just spoil it!
If you would like to read more about this book, do check out my blog here..
https://insidethecover356912439.wordp...
Firstly thank you to the publishers for sending me an early copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book, and I knew I would within the first few pages. The main character Corpse, is very cleverly created, and I love her spooky cute friend who accompanies Corpse always during her adventure to find the lost treasure, which contains her memories. There are plenty of eerie characters in this book, including the revolting witches, and the large sea monster. This story has been thought out well, and all the ideas are fresh and new, and I love how different this book is. I would highly recommend this book to all ages, and it's a great one to read during the spooky season. It's incredibly magical, dark and eerie. I'd love to tell you more, but that would just spoil it!
If you would like to read more about this book, do check out my blog here..
https://insidethecover356912439.wordp...
October 16, 2024
Le titre peut rappeler certaines romances récentes, mais ne vous y trompez pas ! Ici, il s'agit d'un roman jeunesse fantastique mettant en scène un petit fantôme avec un corps DIY fait de cire, d'algues et de coquillages, bien déterminé à retrouver sa famille. C'est peut-être encore mieux pour les amoureuxse de littérature jeunesse.
Dans ce roman, on suit Macabée, un fantôme en salopette, qui part en quête de ses souvenirs perdus avec l'aide de son ami Simon, une petite araignée qui communique en "clic".
Une jolie lecture qui parle d'amitié, de remise en question et surtout d'espoir ! Maca conquérira votre cœur (si vous en avez encore un) pour Halloween.
Dans ce roman, on suit Macabée, un fantôme en salopette, qui part en quête de ses souvenirs perdus avec l'aide de son ami Simon, une petite araignée qui communique en "clic".
Une jolie lecture qui parle d'amitié, de remise en question et surtout d'espoir ! Maca conquérira votre cœur (si vous en avez encore un) pour Halloween.
September 30, 2023
Reseña completa en el blog Letras, Libros y Más próximamente
Me llamo Morti ha sido una lectura agradable que he leído de una sentada, sin duda ha llegado en el momento propicio. Es un middle grade paranormal con sus buenas dosis de familia, amistad, magia y un halo tétrico.
La edición está muy chula, llena de pequeñas ilustraciones en las páginas y detalles en los comienzos de capítulos. Además, la tipografía es grande, la pluma del autor muy sencilla y amena y el ritmo (con su buena pincelada de misterio) es ágil, así que el libro se devora sin darte ni cuenta y te mete de lleno en esa atmósfera oscura.
Ha tenido alguna cosilla mala pero creo que se trata más de algo normal en un libro para un público más joven o a mis gustos.
Un libro fantástico para Halloween
Me llamo Morti ha sido una lectura agradable que he leído de una sentada, sin duda ha llegado en el momento propicio. Es un middle grade paranormal con sus buenas dosis de familia, amistad, magia y un halo tétrico.
La edición está muy chula, llena de pequeñas ilustraciones en las páginas y detalles en los comienzos de capítulos. Además, la tipografía es grande, la pluma del autor muy sencilla y amena y el ritmo (con su buena pincelada de misterio) es ágil, así que el libro se devora sin darte ni cuenta y te mete de lleno en esa atmósfera oscura.
Ha tenido alguna cosilla mala pero creo que se trata más de algo normal en un libro para un público más joven o a mis gustos.
Un libro fantástico para Halloween
October 6, 2022
Super sweet and spooky story of a ghost girl called Corpse. Simon the spider was my favourite character.
Read
February 16, 2023Trigger & Content Warnings:
Parental abandonment mentioned
Memory loss
Physical injuries including burns
Body horror
Death of a mother and father mentioned
Murder and attempted murder of a child
Near-drowning incident
Loss of autonomy discussed (possession)
Animal death (bird, spider)
Parental abandonment mentioned
Memory loss
Physical injuries including burns
Body horror
Death of a mother and father mentioned
Murder and attempted murder of a child
Near-drowning incident
Loss of autonomy discussed (possession)
Animal death (bird, spider)
August 7, 2023
La verdad me esperaba muchísimo más de este libro, el final no me gusta demasiado, lo veo muy abierto, y el desarrollo se me hace algo lento.
March 10, 2023
I was in the kids section with my kids, finding them treats after suffering through a cyclone. Saw this book, was immediately enamored by the title, tried to convince them but alas, there was no dogman or Freddy fasbear on the front.
But did I not also!! Deserve a treat after a cyclone?! Yes I did. Bought myself this book and had a grand old time.
Brought to mind an interesting mix of Neil gaiman creep factor mixed with some Roald Dahl ease of language. The central plot was simple and easy to follow, but there were so many clues for side plots and future elements that a variety of age ranges would be entertained. I loved the character growth of Corpse, and the way we could see her working hard to be loving and be loved.
Cannot wait to force it upon my children as a bedtime story.
But did I not also!! Deserve a treat after a cyclone?! Yes I did. Bought myself this book and had a grand old time.
Brought to mind an interesting mix of Neil gaiman creep factor mixed with some Roald Dahl ease of language. The central plot was simple and easy to follow, but there were so many clues for side plots and future elements that a variety of age ranges would be entertained. I loved the character growth of Corpse, and the way we could see her working hard to be loving and be loved.
Cannot wait to force it upon my children as a bedtime story.
December 29, 2023
4.5 stars.
I bought this book at the start of the year and couldn't be bothered reading it because it was over 300 pages and I've been procrastinating, but now I'm on holiday from work and decided to read the book before the year was almost finished and surprisingly, I enjoyed the story I wished I read the book sooner. I had Halloween- Tim Burton vibes from the book because in the story it mentions deaths, ghosts, monsters, witches, and magic. (which would be cool if Tim Burton actually did a movie based on this book). Corpse has a body made out of wax, seaweed for hair and abalone shells for eyes, Corpses lives upstairs in a shack where the witches live. Corpse has no memory of her pass, her parents or her actual name until a ghost sends her on a quest to get her memories back. The adventure in the story was good, I liked the ending on how Corpse defeated the witches and meet some new people (other ghosts, monsters and people) I didn't find anything wrong in the story, it was easy and straight forward for me. Can't wait to get the second book.
I bought this book at the start of the year and couldn't be bothered reading it because it was over 300 pages and I've been procrastinating, but now I'm on holiday from work and decided to read the book before the year was almost finished and surprisingly, I enjoyed the story I wished I read the book sooner. I had Halloween- Tim Burton vibes from the book because in the story it mentions deaths, ghosts, monsters, witches, and magic. (which would be cool if Tim Burton actually did a movie based on this book). Corpse has a body made out of wax, seaweed for hair and abalone shells for eyes, Corpses lives upstairs in a shack where the witches live. Corpse has no memory of her pass, her parents or her actual name until a ghost sends her on a quest to get her memories back. The adventure in the story was good, I liked the ending on how Corpse defeated the witches and meet some new people (other ghosts, monsters and people) I didn't find anything wrong in the story, it was easy and straight forward for me. Can't wait to get the second book.
January 3, 2025
Je pense être trop vieille pour réellement apprécier à sa juste valeur ce roman (j’ai le gros problème de souvent lire avec des lunettes d’adulte, alors que évidemment, il ne faut pas faire ça). Mais ! je l’ai trouvé très bien tourné, surtout si on met au niveau des éventuels lecteurs (à partir de 9 / 10 ans, quand même, et pour des bons lecteurs, capables également de comprendre l’humour noir). Les personnages sont agréables, avec des émotions reconnaissables, des envies compréhensibles, de l’humour en bonne quantité, un protagoniste détestable (et qui évolue au fur et à mesure du récit, ce qui est un bon point pour le public) et ça plaira sans peine à celleux qui aiment des frissons. Les messages portés sont assez basiques vis-à-vis de la littérature jeunesse : l’amitié, la recherche de soi, l’évolution personnelle. Je le conseillerais sans peine à quelques lecteurs jeunesse.
Merci à Babelio et aux éditions Fleurus.
Merci à Babelio et aux éditions Fleurus.
October 31, 2023
I freaking loved this, Corpse and Simon are just the cutest and spookiest best friends.
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This was really well written and perfect for any and all lovers of cute, cozy, and sweet with a touch of spooky for good measure. Corpse is a young girl ghost that is not ready to move on. She still has too many unanswered questions, and she has Simon to look after, her Spider friend. (Simon is a spider I actually like lol).
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An unexpected message, A Surprising quest. and a danger at every turn. But Corpse is not afraid. She'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth about her past - Blurb from the back of the book.
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The illustrations by Simon Howe add another level of magic to the story and the audio is brilliant. I would highly recommend it.
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This was really well written and perfect for any and all lovers of cute, cozy, and sweet with a touch of spooky for good measure. Corpse is a young girl ghost that is not ready to move on. She still has too many unanswered questions, and she has Simon to look after, her Spider friend. (Simon is a spider I actually like lol).
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An unexpected message, A Surprising quest. and a danger at every turn. But Corpse is not afraid. She'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth about her past - Blurb from the back of the book.
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The illustrations by Simon Howe add another level of magic to the story and the audio is brilliant. I would highly recommend it.
January 24, 2025
A Girl Called Corpse is a wonderfully weird and captivating read, one that will charm both kids and adults. The story mixes dark fantasy with adventure in such a unique way, and Corpse, the main character, is impossible not to root for. Her journey is full of twists and moments of pure magic, and while it’s a fun and imaginative world, I did find myself a little lost at times trying to get my bearings in the setting. That said, the atmosphere and themes are rich and thought-provoking, so even if you're a bit disoriented at times, the heart of the story really shines through. It’s quirky, mysterious, and definitely worth the read for anyone who enjoys a good mix of whimsy and depth.
November 15, 2022
A very spooky and charming middle-grade adventure novel about friendship and magic. This book is perfect for Halloween and autumn.
I loved the concept of this book and think there are some very clever twists no well-known cliches.
I particularly loved Simon the spider, and a ghost protagonist called Corpse is just amazing.
I found it a bit repetitive at times, so that's why it's 4 not 5 stars.
I loved the concept of this book and think there are some very clever twists no well-known cliches.
I particularly loved Simon the spider, and a ghost protagonist called Corpse is just amazing.
I found it a bit repetitive at times, so that's why it's 4 not 5 stars.
November 1, 2024
The perfect Halloween middle grade binge!
This was a lot spookier than I had anticipated and I adored it. It had a great mix of friendship, found family and whimsical storytelling. All the characters were funny and well described to keep their spooky image. Super cute and another good one from Usborne!
This was a lot spookier than I had anticipated and I adored it. It had a great mix of friendship, found family and whimsical storytelling. All the characters were funny and well described to keep their spooky image. Super cute and another good one from Usborne!
did-not-finish
October 19, 2022Nothing particularly wrong with it, just wasn’t doing anything for me. And what happened to good old fashioned stand alones? Does every middle fiction release have to be a ‘new exciting series’? Eh I’m just grumpy. It’s fine, just not my thing.
November 19, 2022
A nice, quite spooky read for younger readers. With a ghost as a main character, who is friends with a spider, Corpse is a likeable protagonist. There is a fair amount of loss within this tale, as you would expect from a tale which has a ghost at its heart, but it is quite gently done. With some lovely illustrations as well, this is a little something different, perfect for these darker nights.
July 24, 2023
Love the concept and the plot. The loose ends are really annoying though (there are SO many of them!) and the writing style is a bit clunky.
BUT it’s spooky and spiky and overall I liked it. I just don’t think I’d read a sequel.
3.5 stars but 4 feels too much.
BUT it’s spooky and spiky and overall I liked it. I just don’t think I’d read a sequel.
3.5 stars but 4 feels too much.
December 31, 2023
An adventurous and heartwarming journey about the importance of friends and family. Corpse was such an engaging character and I was compelled to follow her journey to discover her history.
July 9, 2023
Brilliant!!!😁
December 30, 2022
There's been a lot of buzz around this book, so I thought I'd better check it out! A Girl Called Corpse is the story of a thirteen-year-old ghost girl who has made herself a body from wax, shells and seaweed. Her only friend is a spider. More than anything, Corpse wants to find the family she can't remember... but first she has to deal with some dastardly Witches, a mysterious treasure and a friendship that went wrong. For such a spooky setup, this is a heartwarming story about a flawed and endearing character who just wants to belong. Highly recommended for fans of The Ghouls of Howlfair and Malamander.
February 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this book – the story kept me so hooked I was hardly aware of turning the pages.
This was mostly because I loved having a ghost protagonist, especially one savvy enough to fashion herself an effigy from wax and Possess it in order to look more human. I even grew to love Simon, which is saying something given the phobia I have of spiders (PARTICULARLY huntsmans after several traumatic incidents as a child living in Australia). I was intrigued by their living situation, and by the (male) Witches (I fully assumed they would be women, yay historical bias).
However, as much as I want this to be a 4-5 star review, I felt that some ideas, and a lot of thought processes that Corpse went through, were very literally spelled out. These felt particularly jarring because SO much of the writing was strong and witty and original, so it seemed like a bit of an oversight during editing. I am fully aware of the target audience, but having read a lot in this genre/age bracket, it was something that stood out. I was also surprised that the Witches didn't know Corpse was haunting their shack – but came to like this twist – though it did reduce the stakes a little bit.
Corpse was such an interesting character. It was noted that she had been dead for about the same time she had been alive (13 years-ish) making her technically in her mid-20s and I thought it was really clever how her character reflected this age at times. I liked her really quickly, but became incredibly frustrated with her selfishness and was surprised by her anti-hero personality. I grew very attached to the other characters very quickly and they make for a very unusual spooky friend group/family.
The plot moved very quickly and I would have enjoyed more detail (why the Witches live on the rock, what is the deal with the Merchant, and why/how the heart locket is a Spellspring – I like this idea but need answers). Anyway, I relaxed into the story once I became used to being within a whole township that is totally fabricated, I was fully anticipating a long journey, involving many fleshies (humans) along the way and that's not what happened. Having seen the cover of the second book before reading this, I fully thought the boy was called Elston-Fright so I kind of set myself up for that failure. So I am very keen to read the next one and see where it takes me, probably on an equally unexpected journey.
Overall, I loved the rules of ghosthood (Spooking, Flying and Possession are all Ghost Acts but not all ghosts can do them/them all), the monster made of kelp (who was incredibly generous, and forgiving of Corpse who attacked quite viciously and struggled to communicate) and the pervasive idea that family is the greatest source of magic, no matter what the family looks like.
This was mostly because I loved having a ghost protagonist, especially one savvy enough to fashion herself an effigy from wax and Possess it in order to look more human. I even grew to love Simon, which is saying something given the phobia I have of spiders (PARTICULARLY huntsmans after several traumatic incidents as a child living in Australia). I was intrigued by their living situation, and by the (male) Witches (I fully assumed they would be women, yay historical bias).
However, as much as I want this to be a 4-5 star review, I felt that some ideas, and a lot of thought processes that Corpse went through, were very literally spelled out. These felt particularly jarring because SO much of the writing was strong and witty and original, so it seemed like a bit of an oversight during editing. I am fully aware of the target audience, but having read a lot in this genre/age bracket, it was something that stood out. I was also surprised that the Witches didn't know Corpse was haunting their shack – but came to like this twist – though it did reduce the stakes a little bit.
Corpse was such an interesting character. It was noted that she had been dead for about the same time she had been alive (13 years-ish) making her technically in her mid-20s and I thought it was really clever how her character reflected this age at times. I liked her really quickly, but became incredibly frustrated with her selfishness and was surprised by her anti-hero personality. I grew very attached to the other characters very quickly and they make for a very unusual spooky friend group/family.
The plot moved very quickly and I would have enjoyed more detail (why the Witches live on the rock, what is the deal with the Merchant, and why/how the heart locket is a Spellspring – I like this idea but need answers). Anyway, I relaxed into the story once I became used to being within a whole township that is totally fabricated, I was fully anticipating a long journey, involving many fleshies (humans) along the way and that's not what happened. Having seen the cover of the second book before reading this, I fully thought the boy was called Elston-Fright so I kind of set myself up for that failure. So I am very keen to read the next one and see where it takes me, probably on an equally unexpected journey.
Overall, I loved the rules of ghosthood (Spooking, Flying and Possession are all Ghost Acts but not all ghosts can do them/them all), the monster made of kelp (who was incredibly generous, and forgiving of Corpse who attacked quite viciously and struggled to communicate) and the pervasive idea that family is the greatest source of magic, no matter what the family looks like.
September 29, 2022
A super-creepy seaside story.
The main character of this story goes by the charming name of Corpse, and she is a ghost of a girl with no memory of who she is, where she came from or where her family is. She's stuck on an island no one else can see with the most horrible trio of witches I've seen in ages.
There's something charmingly endearing about Corpse and her efforts, offset beautifully by her really creepy appearance. You see, despite her name, she doesn't actually have a body. Well, apart from the one she made for herself out of bits of wax and seaweed, stones and shells. But if you think Corpse is a little gruesome, the three witches are absolutely repulsive, and make really very effective villains. There's little doubt that they're up to all sorts of evil and absolutely, definitely have to be stopped!
While their maliciousness is abundantly clear, there are plenty of people around the town where we're left in doubt as to whether or not they are good or bad, trustworthy or not, including a kelp monster, the Merchant with the backroom full of magical trinkets and a mysterious Fisher wandering around in an oilskin coat. This mystery, and the mysterious nature and power of the trinket everyone is searching for, keeps the plot flowing along at a great pace and kept me reading just to uncover what was going on.
I loved the playfulness of a lot of the language too, from Elston-Fright being described as the town-that-nobody-visits and the rock where the witches' shack is as the rock-that-doesn't-exist to Corpse talking about feeling things in her not-chest. It subverts a lot of expected norms in quite a delightful way.
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name also has a lot to say about friendship, family and love, and I enjoyed this element as much as the creepiness. The relationship between Corpse and Girl is not an easy one, but the full details of what happened between them are only revealed slowly over the course of the story, building tension and another layer of mystery. It also has Simon, the adorable crab sidekick, whose character growth throughout the book is quite extraordinary.
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name brilliantly captures the creepiness of a bleak seaside town and not-life as a ghost having to build your own body.
The main character of this story goes by the charming name of Corpse, and she is a ghost of a girl with no memory of who she is, where she came from or where her family is. She's stuck on an island no one else can see with the most horrible trio of witches I've seen in ages.
There's something charmingly endearing about Corpse and her efforts, offset beautifully by her really creepy appearance. You see, despite her name, she doesn't actually have a body. Well, apart from the one she made for herself out of bits of wax and seaweed, stones and shells. But if you think Corpse is a little gruesome, the three witches are absolutely repulsive, and make really very effective villains. There's little doubt that they're up to all sorts of evil and absolutely, definitely have to be stopped!
While their maliciousness is abundantly clear, there are plenty of people around the town where we're left in doubt as to whether or not they are good or bad, trustworthy or not, including a kelp monster, the Merchant with the backroom full of magical trinkets and a mysterious Fisher wandering around in an oilskin coat. This mystery, and the mysterious nature and power of the trinket everyone is searching for, keeps the plot flowing along at a great pace and kept me reading just to uncover what was going on.
I loved the playfulness of a lot of the language too, from Elston-Fright being described as the town-that-nobody-visits and the rock where the witches' shack is as the rock-that-doesn't-exist to Corpse talking about feeling things in her not-chest. It subverts a lot of expected norms in quite a delightful way.
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name also has a lot to say about friendship, family and love, and I enjoyed this element as much as the creepiness. The relationship between Corpse and Girl is not an easy one, but the full details of what happened between them are only revealed slowly over the course of the story, building tension and another layer of mystery. It also has Simon, the adorable crab sidekick, whose character growth throughout the book is quite extraordinary.
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name brilliantly captures the creepiness of a bleak seaside town and not-life as a ghost having to build your own body.
December 30, 2022
Despite the title, this children’s novel isn’t morbid or depressing, although it certainly has sad moments. I would have no hesitation handing it to the young readers it is aimed at.
Corpse is a ghost. When she died, she lost not only her body, but all her memories. That’s why she’s called Corpse – it’s simply descriptive. Other ghosts have similar names: Girl, Old Man, and so on.
Corpse has created a body for herself, made of wax and things rescued from the sea. She’s taught herself some simple magic, too. And with these things, she hopes to recover her memories and find her family.
Of course, there are obstacles in her path. Perhaps the biggest is the three evil witches who also want the artifact Corpse needs.
In terms of plot this is a fairly simple story, but the emotional level is more complex. It looks at familiar themes such as the meaning of family, friendship, and finding yourself, in an age appropriate way that doesn’t talk down to readers. There are no themes or scenes to worry protective parents.
I found the story quite fresh, and rather different to a lot of the kids’ books that are around. It doesn’t break significantly new ground, but the story has some unique aspects. It’s also good fun to read.
The novel is aimed at children who are around ten. I asked my Miss Nine for her opinion, and she said it was “fun and exciting and a bit mysterious. I got sad about Girl, the witches were creepy, and I really liked finding out things about Corpse’s family.” She very much enjoyed it, and asked if there was a sequel, because if so, she’d like it immediately.
So this novel strikes a positive note with the kids it’s aimed at, and is a quick and fun read for adults. It’s well written, with a tight plot and fast moving action. Characterisation is quite strong for Corpse. Some other characters are a little one dimensional, but since this is a short novel and those characters are only seen through Corpse’s eyes, that’s understandable.
I recommend this to readers from 10 upwards, including possibly their parents.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
An edited version of this review first appeared on www.beautyandlace.net as part of their bookclub.
Corpse is a ghost. When she died, she lost not only her body, but all her memories. That’s why she’s called Corpse – it’s simply descriptive. Other ghosts have similar names: Girl, Old Man, and so on.
Corpse has created a body for herself, made of wax and things rescued from the sea. She’s taught herself some simple magic, too. And with these things, she hopes to recover her memories and find her family.
Of course, there are obstacles in her path. Perhaps the biggest is the three evil witches who also want the artifact Corpse needs.
In terms of plot this is a fairly simple story, but the emotional level is more complex. It looks at familiar themes such as the meaning of family, friendship, and finding yourself, in an age appropriate way that doesn’t talk down to readers. There are no themes or scenes to worry protective parents.
I found the story quite fresh, and rather different to a lot of the kids’ books that are around. It doesn’t break significantly new ground, but the story has some unique aspects. It’s also good fun to read.
The novel is aimed at children who are around ten. I asked my Miss Nine for her opinion, and she said it was “fun and exciting and a bit mysterious. I got sad about Girl, the witches were creepy, and I really liked finding out things about Corpse’s family.” She very much enjoyed it, and asked if there was a sequel, because if so, she’d like it immediately.
So this novel strikes a positive note with the kids it’s aimed at, and is a quick and fun read for adults. It’s well written, with a tight plot and fast moving action. Characterisation is quite strong for Corpse. Some other characters are a little one dimensional, but since this is a short novel and those characters are only seen through Corpse’s eyes, that’s understandable.
I recommend this to readers from 10 upwards, including possibly their parents.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
An edited version of this review first appeared on www.beautyandlace.net as part of their bookclub.
September 17, 2022
Strong and compelling, this is a good start to a dark fantasy series for the under-twelves. Corpse, as she calls herself, is a ghost, possessing a wax body she’s made for herself, and haunting three male witches on an island spooked away from all human recognition, just offshore from a town the witches have been draining of all joy for far too long. She knows one thing – she cannot leave the island, unless it is to go to her Death Proper – the stage after being a ghost. She also knows that the mainland is where she would find the secrets she craves – her original identity, parents and even her name, all of which flushes from your mind when you become a ghost. When, by hook or by crook, she finds the evil witches are on the hunt for something they really should not be able to get their hands on, she realises she must enter the chase for it too – bringing her right into the peril of their company, if not worse…
To an adult reader, perhaps too much of this is too obvious, and guessable – we can practically tell what the doodad is, and this beat and that are too clearly foretold. But the rest is still sparklingly fresh and different, and the target readers will not get too many clues about the great surprises to come in these pages. They will love the conviction and thought that has gone into the expression of the lore here – you never doubt the magic (although having to narrate a quatrain every time you want to use a spell is a bit time-consuming, I’d’ve thought) nor the ghostly side of things. And neither do you ever lose track of the humanity within Corpse – yes, we are rooting for a dead person, a Golem-like formed body, with bits of stone for teeth and an as-yes-unresolved quest for the perfect ears to stick to her head.
It does suffer here and there from not being original enough, and the usual thing of the baddy having the worst goons, for no logical purpose. I’m also left wondering why the heck it is that this is the third if not fourth book I’ve read for this audience to feature a lighthouse this year alone. But rest assured this certainly has a lot of its own flavour, and is a fine calling card as a debut novel. A strong four stars.
To an adult reader, perhaps too much of this is too obvious, and guessable – we can practically tell what the doodad is, and this beat and that are too clearly foretold. But the rest is still sparklingly fresh and different, and the target readers will not get too many clues about the great surprises to come in these pages. They will love the conviction and thought that has gone into the expression of the lore here – you never doubt the magic (although having to narrate a quatrain every time you want to use a spell is a bit time-consuming, I’d’ve thought) nor the ghostly side of things. And neither do you ever lose track of the humanity within Corpse – yes, we are rooting for a dead person, a Golem-like formed body, with bits of stone for teeth and an as-yes-unresolved quest for the perfect ears to stick to her head.
It does suffer here and there from not being original enough, and the usual thing of the baddy having the worst goons, for no logical purpose. I’m also left wondering why the heck it is that this is the third if not fourth book I’ve read for this audience to feature a lighthouse this year alone. But rest assured this certainly has a lot of its own flavour, and is a fine calling card as a debut novel. A strong four stars.
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